Caregivers
Family Caregiver Support Services
Services including case management, information and referral, counseling, support groups, training and respite have been developed under Title III-E of the Older Americans Act. This program helps sustain family caregivers in their efforts to care for an older relative who has a chronic illness or disability. The Office for the Aging coordinates a variety of services. These services are designed to complement, not replace, family care. Priority is given to caregivers 60 years and older with the greatest social and economic need.
Information and Assistance:
Hauppauge: 631-853-8200
Caseworkers and Senior Citizen Advocates from the Suffolk County Office for the Aging will answer questions and give assistance from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on weekdays. Assistance may include:
- Information and Referrals
- Guiding and connecting caregivers to needed services for themselves and their family members
- Assisting caregivers with applications for benefit programs
Counseling, Support Groups and Training through Office for the Aging is offered by the following provider Agency:
Individual Counseling
Counseling is offered in the offices of Family Service League (FSL) or, if necessary, in the home of the caregiver. Caregivers may contact the agency directly or be referred by the Office for the Aging.
Support Groups
Support Groups for caregivers have formed in various areas of Suffolk County. Information on support group locations may be obtained by calling the Office for the Aging, or FSL.
Hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities may also offer a caregiver support groups.
Training for Caregivers
Sessions may be scheduled in the work place or at local libraries, schools or houses of worship. Speakers from various fields of expertise give practical information about legal and financial issues, end of life decisions, stress release techniques, nutrition, and many other topics of interest to caregivers. Call FSL.
Respite for Family Caregivers
Respite for caregivers is available through the Office for the Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program. This service gives caregivers the opportunity to run errands, read a book, attend family functions, take a short vacation or tend to their own health needs. To inquire about respite, call Office for the Aging.
How Much Will it Cost?
There is no cost for the program; however, all participants are given an opportunity to make a contribution. All contributions are used to expand the program and will be greatly appreciated.
Care Givers Corner
Caregiver Assessment
Do you provide unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor who has an illness, disability, memory loss, or injury? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a caregiver! Are you feeling overwhelmed, constantly worried, tired, sad, easily irritated, and/or extremely stressed? You are not alone and there is support available. If you would like to learn more about resources, tools, and supports available for caregivers, please answer the following questions to get connected to the right starting place.
- Are you over the age of 18 and caring for an older adult (age 60+)?
- Are you over the age of 18 caring for an individual (any age) with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, chronic traumatic encephalopathy)?
- Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for a child (not biological) under the age of 18?
- Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for an adult (can be a biological child) aged 18-59 with a disability?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are eligible for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The goal of the NFCSP is to support family caregivers so they may continue to carry out their caregiving roles and responsibilities. The program can provide services such as caregiver counseling, information and assistance, caregiver training, respite care (a break from caregiving), and much more. If you would like to learn more about how this program can assist you, please call 631 853-8200.
If you answered no to all the questions above, or you are not interested in learning about the resources available through the NFCSP, there is still help available to you through the Any Care Counts - New York (ACC-NY) Campaign which recognizes and supports the millions of unpaid caregivers across the state! Through ACC-NY you can discover your caregiver intensity score by taking the ARCHANGELS Caregiver Intensity Index (CII). It takes just 2 minutes to complete. You will find out whether you are “in the red," "yellow" or "green," and be connected to trusted resources.
Do you prefer to search resources on your own? Visit the NY Connects Resource Directory. NY Connects links individuals of all ages and their caregivers to long term services and supports and provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance.